Grab a Pillow

I may be too old to partake in pillow fights, but I'm definitely the right age to appreciate a good pillow. The Chattanoogan, where I stayed while visiting, not only provided me with one such pillow (down-filled and soft), but with three. Yes, I'm easy to please.

The Chattanoogan, still referred to as "new" despite having celebrated its second birthday in April, is located in the city's Southside district, just a few steps from the recently refurbished Warehouse Row - a growing collection of outlet shops.

The Chattanoogan is an activity hub for conferences, meetings and other business-related affairs, but also offers spa services and a fitness center complete with an indoor lap pool. I caught a brief glimpse of the pool while sweating away on the treadmill one afternoon. The clear aquamarine water looked so appealing that I cursed myself for leaving my bathing suit at home. (Just because I'm supposedly a travel expert doesn't mean I possess a good memory.)

The hotel's rooms are large and comfortable, with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding evergreen-cloaked hills (especially in the morning, when the first wisps of sunlight brushes the treetops in tangerine). I was pleased with everything the Chattanoogan had to offer, with one exception - there was no full-length mirror in my room. I found its absence to be a bit of an inconvenience, especially when I was just dying to admire my new shoes purchased at the outlets down the street.

The Chattanoogan's lobby is soothing and warm - gorgeously crafted wood rocking chairs are placed throughout, as are vases of bamboo. Oversized couches are cushy without losing a classic, upscale appearance. Strategically placed area rugs soften and complement the marble flooring. And a see-through fireplace is the main centerpiece, connecting both sides of the lobby.

All in all, I found the area to be my favorite part of the hotel (maybe tying with the hotel's bar -- The Foundry -- where I enjoyed a delicious $9 cosmopolitan late one night). With the number of parties involved in meetings and conferences at the hotel and the constant traffic through the area, it's easy to strike up a conversation with just about anyone while lounging around. (CONTINUED...)